5 Midwest winter getaways near Dayton that will make you WANT cabin fever

The Midwest, particularly the region around Southwest Ohio, has some major advantages over other regions this time of year.

It’s hard to completely loathe winter when you’re curled up under a mound of blankets, feet away from a crackling fireplace, sipping a cup of hot chocolate that just reached its ideal temperature. That kind of warm and cozy feeling is only earned after enduring months of a Midwestern winter.

So free up a few days on your calendar, because there are plenty of perfect getaways within a few hours of Dayton that are guaranteed to warm your spirits.

1. MAUMEE BAY RESORT

Located in the heart of Maumee Bay State Park, Maumee Bay Resort might be one of the best ways to experience Ohio’s lake life during the frozen months. 80 acres of preserved wetlands, right on the shores of Lake Erie, transform into frosty hiking fields during winter. Cross-country ski equipment is available to rent for a day of exploring on the three-mile Mouse Trail where winter birds can be seen by the dozens.

The cozy resort is within minutes of the beach, where you’ll be able admire the frozen tundra of the Great Lakes, then head back to defrost by the fire.

The lodge, furnished with “museum quality shaker reproductions” according to Ohio Magazine, isn’t a cheap stay. However, special off-season prices that last through the end of March make winter a perfect time to visit. Rave reviews from almost every guest on their website make it easy to see why this destination is a getaway lover’s dream come true.

At Shawnee Lodge, any stressors that have been weighing you down are bound to get lost somewhere in Shawnee State Forest’s 63,000 acres of rolling hills— also known as “Ohio’s Little Smokies.” You can choose between staying at the resort lodge, where you’ll be able to soak in a steaming hot tub after an afternoon of picturesque winter hiking, or snuggle in with your loved ones at one of the 25 cottages available— fireplaces most definitely included.

If you are really trying to put your feet up and make lavish memories you’ll want to revisit over and over again, then the French Lick Resort needs to be on your agenda. The nationally recognized resort complex, which boasts two AAA Four Diamond hotels, two spas and a Vegas-style casino, is only three hours and some change from Dayton.

Photo: French Lick Resort Facebook

Not only is the resort ultra luxurious, its history will make your relaxing weekend getaway all the more alluring. Although destroyed in an 1897 fire, the complex was originally known as the French Lick’s Springs Hotel. Guests would come from near and far to benefit from the advertised healing properties of the town’s sulrfur springs— three of which were on the hotel’s properties.

Dubbed as “Winter in the Kentucky Mountains,” Cliffview Resort is about as cozy as winter gets. The eastern Kentucky hilltop resort is just three hours away from the Gem City and situated right next to Red River Gorge and Daniel Boone National Forest. If gorgeous views are what you’re after while you get away from it all, look no further.